Dear Neighbor,
Here is an update from St. Paul.
Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women Legislation
Last week, two bills I am carrying on behalf of the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women passed on the House Floor.
The first bill, House File 2552, allows for an extension of an order of protection without requiring it to go through the court if no party requests a hearing. The second bill, House File 2553, allows both parties to wave court fees, making it easier for people in crisis to have access to the courts.
Both pieces of legislation are about easing the process for victims and families in a difficult time, and I appreciate the bipartisan support my legislation received. I am hopeful that Governor Dayton will sign both bills into law soon.
Solar Moratorium
Last Tuesday, I attended a Wright County Commissioner Board Meeting where they approved an emergency six month moratorium on solar projects in the county. With mandates coming down from the Public Utilities Commission and state government, their hope is that this moratorium will send a message that local rights should not be ignored.
Many frustrations around the solar projects in Wright County stem from broken promises from companies installing the solar fields, what land was chosen for the project and the clearcutting of acres of forest.
There were a number of stories in the news over the past couple weeks on solar projects in Wright County. You can see one of the stories from KSTP here about the moratorium.
Final Negotiations
We are in the final stretch of the 2016 legislative session with adjournment set for May 23rd. The House and Senate are passing a number of standalone bills on topics important to Wright County and our state, and conference committees are meeting to negotiate transportation, taxes and other supplemental omnibus bills.
My two main priorities for this year remain tax relief and a transportation bill to fix our roads and bridges. I will keep you updated on final negotiations as they progress, and hopefully we will soon reach common sense, bipartisan agreements on these bills.
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If you need assistance an issue pertaining to state government, my office is available to you. You can e-mail at Rep.Marion.ONeill@House.MN or call my office at 651-296-5063. You can also write a letter to me. My office address at the Capitol is 549 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55155.
Sincerely,
Marion